13 Traditional Peruvian Sauces (+ Easy Recipes)

These Peruvian sauces will take your food to the next level.

Peru is known for creating enticing sauces. And these are some of the best ones around. 

From creamy to spicy, Peruvian sauces are the secret weapon of the country’s incredible cuisine. 

Many focus on the staple ingredient, aji chili. Panca, amarillo, or lemon drop, there are many different varieties to choose from.

If you’re not into spicy food, don’t worry. There are some without chili peppers just for you. 

Once you experience the wonders of these sauces, you’ll never look back. 

Get ready, because you’re about to go on a flavor-packed culinary journey to Peru. 

1. Peruvian Green Sauce (Ají Verde)

If you’re cooking authentic Peruvian cuisine, you need a sauce to match. Enter aji verde. 

This Peruvian green chili sauce is a spicy sensation. 

It’s not all fire, though. It’s fresh and creamy thanks to mayo, cilantro, lime juice, and garlic.

If you can get your hands on Peruvian chilies, all the better. Otherwise, serrano and jalapenos are great substitutions.

You can pair it with all sorts of wonderful things. Yet Peruvian chicken and grilled fish are both a must.

2. Peruvian Yellow Sauce (Ají Amarillo)

Anyone who appreciates flavor can appreciate this sauce. It’s creamy, cheesy, zesty, robust, and perfectly hot. 

Aji amarillo is a yellow chili pepper that’s a very popular ingredient in Peruvian cuisine. It’s also the star of this classic sauce.

And I can think of no better Peruvian condiment for you to try than this. 

For an authentic experience, pair it with Peruvian appetizers like tequenos or tamales.

3. Peruvian Chile Cheese Sauce (Salsa Huancaina)

Chile cheese sauce must be a universal language. Because Peru also makes a luscious version. 

Starting with the base, you need queso fresco and evaporated milk.

Add sauteed alliums and aji peppers for flavoring, then toss in crackers for thickening. 

Then prepare yourself to start dipping! 

I think fries are a prime place to start. Let your imagination run wild from there. 

4. Salsa Criolla

If you need something fresh and fierce, salsa criolla has you covered.

A cross between relish and mojo sauce, salsa criolla is intense. 

Like many salsas, all the ingredients are raw. It has red onions, sweet peppers, padron peppers, lime juice, coriander, and vinegar. 

That right there is a spicy, pungent punch!

Fire up that grill, because this salsa is the perfect match for grilled proteins.

5. Peruvian Aji Chilli Sauce

By now, you’re probably starting to notice a theme. Peruvian sauces are all about chilies. 

This wonderful versatile sauce is no exception. 

It features aji chilis with vegan mayo, lime, sauteed red onions, and garlic.

There are a variety of different aji chilis you can use. For this sauce, red ones with mild heat are the best choice. 

6. Yellow Chili Chicken Sauce (Aji de Polleria)

Say farewell to bland chicken dinners. Aji de polleria is about to transform your plate. 

This sauce is famous for elevating rotisserie chicken. You’ll also find it all over Peru.

It’s a creamy and spicy blend that showcases Peruvian yellow peppers and Peruvian black mint.  

One taste and you’ll start dreaming about all the other wonderful ways to use it.

It adds a punchy kick to roasted veggies, burritos, burgers, sandwiches, fries, and proteins.

7. Lemon Drop Hot Sauce (Aji Limon Hot Sauce)

Any hot sauce lovers in the house? Do I have a treat for you!

This is one of the best homemade hot sauces. The flavor profile ranges from sweet to tangy to spicy. 

To make it, lemon drop chili peppers are an obvious must. You also need honey, garlic, apple cider vinegar, and spices. 

It doesn’t take long either, just 15 minutes. 

From egg scrambles to fat juicy burritos, you’ll want to drizzle this bright sauce all over everything. 

8. Salsa Ocopa 

Salsa ocopa is a little different from the other Peruvian pepper sauces. 

It has chili peppers, garlic, and onions like many others. But it also has queso fresco, nuts, milk, and huacatay. 

Huacatay is Peruvian black mint, which gives the sauce a distinct flavor. 

The most common way to enjoy this sauce is with potatoes.

So go ahead and douse those carbolicious spuds. 

9. “Sweet” Peruvian Rocoto Pepper Sauce

Peruvian rocoto pepper sauce will have your tastebuds dancing.

Rocoto peppers look similar to bell peppers. But don’t let the looks fool you, they’re hot!

The spiciness ranges from 30,000 to 100,000 SHU on the Scoville scale.

To keep the heat in check, the sauce incorporates evaporated milk and white cheese. 

Like all the others, it’s highly versatile. From burgers to veggies, you’ll find plenty of uses. 

10. Aji Mirasol Sauce

If you’re not crazy about handling raw chili peppers, try aji mirasol sauce. 

The process is very beginner-friendly and it has a delightfully creamy texture. 

It entails just four ingredients. These include mirasol paste, evaporated milk, oil, and salt.

Combine everything in a pan and heat until bubbling, then it’s ready to serve. 

11. Peruvian Salsa Tartara 

Not every Peruvian sauce has chili peppers. Take salsa tartara, for instance.

It’s a mayo-based sauce with onions, boiled eggs, parsley, and mustard. 

It pairs exquisitely with anything you would want to dip in tartar sauce.

Fried shrimp, fish sticks, chicken nuggets, fries, the list goes on and on.

Basically, if it’s fried, you can dip it in salsa tartara.

12. Tamarind Sauce – Peruvian Style

This tamarind sauce is like a Peruvian homage to Chinese food. 

It’s sweet, sour, and tomato-flavored. 

It calls for fresh tamarinds, which you can find at an ethnic market. If they’re all out, tamarind paste works too.  

The rest of the ingredients are probably in your kitchen right now.

So let’s bust everything out and make some Peruvian sauce!

13. Aji Panca Chile Paste

Here’s one last Peruvian must that will knock your socks off. 

The aji panca chile pasta has a compelling combination of flavors. It ranges from nutty to smoky to spicey. 

Meld it with pumpkin seeds, garlic, onion, oil, and lime.

Then pick out an authentic Peruvian recipe to experience the flavors of Peru.